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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are bare arms demeaning?

147 replies

RoseWhiteTips · 14/02/2018 11:44

Former Canadian PM Kim Campbell sparks debate with claim women's bare arms on TV are 'demeaning'

Kim Campbell sparked a wide debatewith a tweet which said sleeveless outfits "undermine credibility and gravitas".
She linked to a blog by a man, Dr Nick Morgan, who wrote thatwomen they will look "less brilliant" if they wear sleeveless outfits.

In his blog on the Public Words website, Dr Morgan wrote: “Think about what this means when you put on that sleeveless dress, women, or that expensive, cool-looking casual t-shirt, men.

“Apparently, we humans are pretty simple creatures.If you show up in front of us with skin exposed, we’re going to think about your body.If you’re wearing lots of clothing, we’re going to think about your mind.”
(Evening Standard)

Is she being unreasonable to hold this opinion or does she gave a point?

OP posts:
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Original poster
RoseWhiteTips · 14/02/2018 11:45

Grrr.

Is she being unreasonable to hold this opinion or does she have a point?

OP posts:
OfaFrenchmind2 · 14/02/2018 11:47

The new Victorians.... How woke are we?

DuckBilledAardvark · 14/02/2018 11:48

I think men in short sleeve shirts or vests look highly unprofessional, if my husband bought home and wore a short sleeve shirt I'd be pretty appalled they're awful.

DreamyMcDreamy · 14/02/2018 11:49

Cover up ladies!!
FFS. Are we back in Victorian times?!

dontquotemeondailymail · 14/02/2018 11:50

Oh FFS! No, she absolutely does not have a point.

MephistophelesApprentice · 14/02/2018 11:50

I thought prudery and body-shaming had been defeated, but sadly it seems to be creeping back.

worthlesspeon · 14/02/2018 11:51

I don't agree with her saying it undermines credibility and gravitas. Personally I never show my arms, mainly because of my massive bingo wings, but I do applaud those with the confidence to show theirs. However, to me it's more about appropriate workwear. I don't think a vest is acceptable workwear for a man or a woman, so I'd have to conclude that sleeveless dresses etc are also not appropriate workwear.

Tika77 · 14/02/2018 11:54

aardwark I agree short sleeve shirts on men don't look good but how come women are allowed short sleeve dresses at the workplace? I find that a bit discriminatory (same for shorts vs skirts above knee)

I don't think sleeveless is demeaning. Very old fashioned statement.

Blackteadrinker77 · 14/02/2018 11:54

The 50s are calling.

LondonHereICome · 14/02/2018 11:55

Vest tops all the way if a man dared utter that twaddle to me!!

Pfftkids · 14/02/2018 11:55

I think we need to not care about other people's opinions

AjasLipstick · 14/02/2018 11:56

Well...we don't see men with bare arms do we? Unless they're on the beach or shopping in a t shirt.

I am on the fence.

MuseumOfCurry · 14/02/2018 11:59

Also on fence for same reasons as lipstick.

But since I started doing Pilates I have my arms out at every opportunity I’m afraid. They’re the best evidence of my fitness routine.

Hygge · 14/02/2018 12:00

I think she's wrong.

I hate those stories about girls being sent home from school because you can see their shoulders or an inch of flesh above their knees.

I think women can wear sleeveless dresses to work and look professional, or men can wear a short sleeved shirt and look fine at work. They are different to vests. This dress for example.

Are bare arms demeaning?
Lucked · 14/02/2018 12:01

It is better hygiene if doctors wear short sleeve shirts or at the very least roll them up.

MuseumOfCurry · 14/02/2018 12:02

I’m unprepared to give up my notion that men shouldn’t bare their arms at work so I’m not sure how I can square this.

Exception is casual workplaces and polo shirts. But I still prefer a standard button down.

crunchymint · 14/02/2018 12:06

FFS being sleeveless or in short sleeves makes absolutely no difference to professionalism.

MichaelBendfaster · 14/02/2018 12:06

There is smart sleeveless and then casual sleeveless. I don't think a woman in, for example, a spaghetti-strap vest with nothing on top is appropriate for most offices.

But Banana Republic have a section called 'workwear' and there are sleeveless dresses in it that I would think suitable.

sallyandherarmy · 14/02/2018 12:07

Covering up, from head to toe, will soon be the norm. And not just at work, but in all public places.

IwantedtobeEmmaPeel · 14/02/2018 12:08

Frankly any man who uses the expression less brilliant cannot be taken seriously.

ShowMeTheElf · 14/02/2018 12:09

Sleeves in the workplace. Men and women.
Hygge that dress is lovely but I would wear a jacket over it for work.

NinjagoNinja · 14/02/2018 12:11

On very hot days I would wear a sleeveless dress but would always have a jacket with me to slip on for meetings.

I wouldn't want to have a meeting with a male colleague sitting in his vest.

SaskaTchewan · 14/02/2018 12:17

I don't agree with "demeaning" but I would go for unprofessional. A sleeveless dress wouldn't be appropriate for a job interview, a formal client presentation or a meeting with the Pope/ Chief Rabbi/ Imam.

I might wear one in the office in the summer, but would consider that a bit too casual on some occasions.

Amyxmarie · 14/02/2018 12:20

I think some people are in a time wrap with their views 🙄. Like those that think people with tattoos shouldn't have certain jobs...

StoatofDisarray · 14/02/2018 12:21

I just came out of a meeting, and found myself idly looking at the woman opposite me who had a sleeveless dress on. I was wondering whether she waxed or shaved under her arms, mentally comparing the tone of her arms to mine, and noticed a slight difference in colour between the skin of her armpit and the rest of her arms. I don't fancy her, and I was interested in what she was saying, but these things still went through my head. I really do think that covered arms for men and women are less distracting. However, I thought dressing in business-attire was going out of fashion now? Maybe it's time to lose the sleeveless sheaths, low heels, and jacket cover-up...